A dog is for life, not just for Christmas – he just happened to enter our life in December. We always knew that we wanted to adopt not shop, but the journey took a lot longer than we expected. However, on Tuesday the 15th of December, we welcomed our rescue dog, Ivan, into our hearts and home.
It is estimated that there are 10.1 million dogs in the UK. Whilst the vast majority of these are very much loved, thousands of dogs find themselves in rescue centres each year. At the end of January 2020, we started to browse the Dogs Trust, Cardiff Dogs Home and other local charities, looking for our preferred pet.
As an adult only home, large secure garden, the Taff Trail at the end of our estate and easy access to excellent walks and so many beaches just 30 minutes from Cardiff, previous dog owners and so many tick boxes that were required. We did not think the process would take long.
Bringing a rescue dog into the home has its challenges, you need to prepare, have perseverance and patience. A rescue dog also has additional challenges. You are giving the dog a fresh start, a new home, but they may also be shy, fearful, anxious, or have a lack of discipline or routine. We were up for the challenge, especially knowing that the hard work would result in unconditional love.
Claws and Paws
At the end of August, I was distraught that we weren’t even being shortlisted for the dogs we were applying for – and it was about 4-5 a week. Different breeds, different sizes, different ages. I turned to social media for help and was pointed towards Claws and Paws Animal Rescue. The charity is run by two women who bring dogs over from Bosnia.
Bosnia is still a war-torn country. Pets were unfortunately left to survive on their own, taking residence on the streets, as their families tried to survive siege, snipers and genocide. Now litters are born and raised on the streets. Generally, the dogs are medium-sized common breeds such as German Shepherds, hounds, retrievers and Labradors.
It is estimated that there are 30,000 stray dogs, which is a huge problem. There is a Government-funded scheme that is sterilising strays that are in good shape, but it is a long process. With so many of them living on the streets, they are integrated into everyday life. Some people even feed them off the street. However, there is evidence of neglect and abuse, and I have heard some truly disturbing stories.
Ivan the Irresistible
Scrolling through the images of the available rescue dogs, we were instantly drawn to a beautiful crossbreed. He is about 14 months old now. He was known simply as Brother 3 to us (even though his passport said Tufty!). One evening, over a couple of glasses of wine, we started to think of names. Mike hated all of my suggestions; Aero, Kane, Duke, Kracken, Popcorn, Rebel or Shadow. I wanted something cool. We googled Bosnian names, and Ivan was one of the first we read. As it has Welsh links too, it was an instant hit. Plus, no one else will be shouting that in the doggy play park!
Ivan and the rest of the huge litter were found as puppies on the streets in Bosnia. They have been living in the rescue kennel, and sometimes brief stays with a foster family. It was explained that the journey to the UK is not easy for the dogs. It is usually 2-3 days by road, an ordeal in itself, and then there would be 48 hours in quarantine before we could pick him up.
A series of unfortunate events
Things weren’t always straightforward. The transport was already full for September, so we had to wait until October. Our rescue dog, and his brother, completely shut down when going into quarantine. They were terrified and needed more time to adjust.
In November it all went wrong again when our dog had been missed off the travel manifesto. As the profuse apologies were coming, I was crying bucket loads of tears, and deliveries were arriving – his dog bed, blankets, leads, treats and toys.
It doesn’t even end there, more drama followed. Unexpectedly, the Eurotunnel clamped down on dog travel. A usual convoy for our charity is twenty rescue dogs, but this was changed to five. It was unsure of what would happen… would they bring them all, put them in kennels in Calais, and then ferry them across? Adding additional financial strain to the charity, and an additional donation from us. Thankfully, it has been overturned for charities, and they can continue.
Waiting for our rescue dog to arrive
The week leading up to his arrival was so nerve-wracking. The excitement and anticipation was unreal. With still being on furlough, and the COVID regulations in Wales, I had nothing to occupy my mind. So, I kept thinking about his arrival and wondering what else could go wrong. The journey was much longer than anticipated, with businesses trying to move as much as they could out of Europe before Brexit, there were many boarder delays. Instead of picking him up on the Saturday, it was on Tuesday.
Meeting Ivan for the first time
The journey for the rescue dogs is hell. How would you like to be on a truck with 26 other dogs, all of whom are nervous, barking, have strange people handling them at boarder checks and vet inspections? Of course, the drivers would need to feed and water them, as well as getting some food and rest themselves.
As Mike was working, I went to pick him up with my dad from a kennel in Chepstow. We were informed that he was a nervous rescue dog. He was pulling hard at the lead of the handler. She helped my dad put him securely in the car whilst I completed his paperwork. He was a dream in the car. No barking or noise, but you could see that he was nervous, and turned his back to us.
It was a struggle to get him in the house, the new surroundings were too much for him. Eventually, I got him inside, and he wedged himself behind the tumble dryer. (I have since secured this, so he can’t get behind it.) Later that day, I took him to the garden, where he hid behind the plant pots. He was on a thick lead and chewed right through it. Luckily, I have kept his harness on, and Dad helped me get him back inside into his bed. He stayed in it for three days straight. Other than to wee in the middle of the night.
Are all rescue dogs nervous and anxious?
Ivan is so nervous and anxious. I have been so worried about him. For the first three nights, he didn’t eat or drink anything. I cried all night on the fourth night, praying that he would have something. I woke up prepared to go to the chemist to buy a syringe so I could get some water into him, but my prayers had been answered – he had eaten every single bite.
Even now, he still cowers in his corner. I sit with him for five minutes a few times throughout the day to talk to him and stroke him. He is very slowly getting used to me, as well as hearing the washing machine, hoover (not in his room yet), and tumble dryer.
I hear him in the early morning scratching at the patio door, and he has left bite marks in my handle. (The no-chew spray is not working.) He is trying to get outside, as he wants to go to the toilet. Ivan wets himself every time we take him out into the garden. However, on day six, we had another breakthrough, instead of hiding, he walked around in circles with Mike.
He’s going to need time. To adjust, to realise we are not going to hurt him, and he is safe. It is going to be a slow process. I can not wait for him to come further into the house, eat meals at regular times, and ask to go out – without having to put a long lead on him, fearing he will jump the walls. Even to play with him, take him on adventures and give him treats.
Follow Ivan on Instagram
Like any proud parent, I will be taking a ridiculous amount of photographs and videos of my dog. You can follow our rescue dogs progress as he loses some of his fears and tries new things. To stop him from filling up my regular feed, Ivan has his own Instagram. Over the coming months, I hope to share lots of dog-friendly businesses, pubs and restaurants in Cardiff.
